The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that vehicles kill 4,000 people and injure 70,000 in pedestrian accidents each year. To break it down, a vehicle injures one pedestrian every eight minutes and kills one every two hours. Those statistics are staggering by anyone’s standards and indicate that we probably ought to know what to do if we find ourselves as an injured pedestrian. All personal injury claims require evidence. If a vehicle hits and injures you, get the driver’s name and contact information. Be sure to get the name of his insurance company and contact information. If you are unable to secure this information because your injuries are too serious, ask someone that is standing nearby to help you. Contact the insurance company of the motorist and report the accident. You should file a claim when you first contact them. It’s a good idea to report the accident to your insurance company, as well. You will need to prove that the motorist was negligent and caused the accident. Your claim will fail if you cannot provide proof. Ask yourself questions like these: Did the driver violate his obligation to me as a pedestrian? Were the driver’s actions the direct cause of my injuries? Did other forces intervene? If yes, do they relieve either of us from fault? As you build your claim, consider the following: Witness statements are valuable to your case because they may have heard and seen things that you didn’t. Accident photos make good evidence. Any photographs that were taken by the police or bystanders will be helpful to your case. Keep the clothing that you were wearing at the time of the accident. The clothes may be able to show the force of the impact. Get your own weather report from the National Weather Service. Any medical records that tie your injuries directly to the accident will be invaluable. Try to get statements from the nurses and doctors that have given care to you. Once you have compiled as much evidence as you can, you will be ready to negotiate your claim. If your evidence is prepared properly, you should be able to show the events leading up to the accident, the time of the accident, and the time after and during your recovery. Remember, the more evidence you have, the more likely it is that you can settle for a higher amount. Pedestrians have rights, and knowledge about their rights can be helpful in the event of an accident. If you need find a car accident lawyer in Wilmington, please see this website.

Over the past ten years, advances in adolescent brain science have reaffirmed the essential concept of juvenile justice—teenagers do not think like adults or share the same level of culpability... read more

Wills are only for people with a lot of assets. Or are they? Even when you have a small asset or own almost nothing, a will can be a great exit strategy that helps your family and loved ones. Here are the top three reasons.1. You control your estates and who will take care of the transfer process Not just grand mansions and luxury vehicles count as estates. Your personal belongings, any bank accounts, insurance policies or retirement accounts are also estates.In a will, you can designate beneficiaries and also choose the person who will oversee the entire process of transferring assets to those beneficiaries. Without a will, the court can decide who gets what. So especially if you have children, a will is a must, so that you can protect them even after your death.2. You can shorten the probate process With or without a will, the probate process will happen. But with a proper will, the process will take much less time, because you have already made some choices for the court and your representative.3. You can always change your mind Things happen in life and priorities change. Births, deaths, marriage, divorce and other life-changing events can affect your decisions on asset transfer. In that case, you can always change your will while you are still alive. Wills are not as complicated as you might think. To learn more about how to draw a will, visit the website of a wills lawyer in Temple.

This rollover car wreck had to be stabilized with jacks on either end before rescue workers could safely tend to the passengers. Those stabilize the vehicle, preserving evidence from the accident while also helping first responders get everyone to safety.

Regardless of the breed of dog or its propensity to bite, the owner is responsible if the pet attacks someone. Sometimes he or she refuses to take responsibility, and you may need to file a legal claim in order to be compensated for medical expenses and other losses. In order to file a successful complaint, there are a few steps you should take.1. Seek Medical Attention If a dog bite breaks the skin, immediately seek medical help. If you will need to file a claim, this will give you documentation regarding the seriousness of the injury.2. Notify Animal Control Animal Control officers will verify whether the dog is properly licensed and vaccinated. The officer will likely visit you to confirm the wound, and then see the dog owner about the incident.3. Talk With the Owner Before seeking legal action, you may want to ask the pet owner to cover your medical costs. Oftentimes, his or her homeowner’s insurance policy will cover expenses. If the person refuses, you may want to seek legal action.4. Contact a Lawyer If you feel it is warranted, contact a lawyer to discuss your possible case. The chances of winning your claim may depend on whether the dog has bitten other people in the past and on whether you provoked the animal. If you have suffered a serious injury from an unprovoked attack, you may have cause for a dog bite claim. Please visit this site to learn more about your rights or to speak with a dog bite attorney in Jacksonville.

Of the top five reasons for boating accidents, each was the result of driver error: inattention, improper lookout, inexperience, excessive speed and alcohol. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that 40 deaths and 652 injuries occurred in 2014 from over 900 watercraft incidents. If you are involved in an accident, you can protect yourself should you need medical care.1. Take Notes Just as you would in a car accident, write down the names and insurance information with the other boat involved. Also if there are any eyewitnesses, collect their information as well, as they may be able to testify for you case.2. Take Pictures If you brought your smartphone along, take pictures of damage done to both watercrafts. If you don’t have a camera, you can sketch the scene. It’s a good idea to take photos of any injuries as well.3. Take Notes Memories fade quickly, so immediately write down what you recall about the accident. What were you doing at the time? What did you observe from the other boaters involved?4. File a Boating Accident Report If your watercraft received more than $2,000 worth of damages, you may be required to file a report with the local law enforcement agency, usually within 10 days of the incident. Check with your state for specific rules. If you are in an accident and don’t receive adequate compensation from the insurance company, you can file a civil suit. For more information about protecting yourself following a boating collision or to find a boat accident attorney in Wilmington, please visit this website.